Daniel Inouye
United States Senator from Hawaii (1963–2012) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Daniel Ken "Dan" Inouye[1] (September 7, 1924 – December 17, 2012) was an American politician from Hawaii.[2] He was known for receiving the Medal of Honor because of his actions in World War II.[3]
- In this Japanese name, the family name is Inouye.
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Early life
Inouye was born in 1924 in the Territory of Hawaii. He was the son of a father who was born in Japan and a mother whose parents were born there. He was a Nisei, a second-generation Japanese American.[4]
Soldier
Inouye was an officer in World War II.[5] He volunteered to be part of the all-Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team.[6] The army unit was mostly made up of second-generation Japanese Americans from bith Hawaii and the mainland.[7]
He was wounded several times in the Battle of Colle Musatello, n Italy, and lost an arm. He remained in the U.S. Army until 1947, when he had reveived both the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. For his actions in April 1945, Inouye was awarded the Army's second-highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). In the 1990s, there was a review of service records of Asian Americans who received the DSC during World War II. Inouye's award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. In a ceremony at the White House on June 21, 2000, he was presented with his medal by President Bill Clinton. Twenty-one other Asian Americans also received the medal during the ceremony, but only seven of them were still alive.[8]
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Medal of Honor citation
Inouye's Medal of Honor recognized his conduct in frontline fighting at San Terenzo, Italy, in April 1945.[3] Without help from others, he destroyed two machine gun nests; and he continued to fight and to lead his platoon after being wounded.[9]
Here are the words of Inouye's citation:
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.[10]
Political areer
After the war, Inouye studied politics in college. He was elected to the Hawaii Territorial Legislature in the 1950s.
When Hawaii became a state, he was its first representative. He served as Senator from 1963 to 2012.
After 2010, Inouye was President Pro Tempore of the Senate,[11] a title given to the longest-serving senator of the party in power. That made him the highest-ranking Asian American politician in the history of the United States.[12]
Inouye had plans to run for a record tenth term for senator in 2016,[13][14] but he died on December 17, 2012, before his term was to be completed by January 3, 2017.
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Family
Inouye's wife of 57 years, Maggie, died on March 13, 2006. On May 24, 2008, he married Irene Hirano in Beverly Hills, California. Hirano was the president and founding chief executive officer of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California. On May 27, 2010, Hirano was elected by the board to chair the nation's second-largest non-profit, the Ford Foundation.[15] Inouye's son Kenny was the guitarist for influential D.C. hardcore punk band Marginal Man.[16]
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Death
Inouye died on December 17, 2012 in Bethesda, Maryland, from a respiratory aliment, aged 88.[17]
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